Nearly two years in the making, Everything I’ve Learnt is the debut LP by much lauded NI natives More Than Conquerors. Effortlessly side-stepping any first album jitters, it’s consistently powerful from start to finish. Featuring 11 tracks that hinge on the central theme of faith in its many forms (as well as the absence thereof), the record is like a Doctor Marten boot-clad octopus, leaving no ass un-kicked.
Sonically, More Than Conquerors take their cues from bands like Hot Water Music, Idlewild and Kerbdog and by stitching together different elements of American, British and Irish alternative rock they’ve created a monster all of their very own. Tracks like ‘All That We Can’ and ‘Jaw’ are an absolute joy to listen to, packed full of sledgehammer riffs, punchy rhythms and unforgettable harmonies. It’s singer and guitarist Kris Platt’s vocals that really set More Than Conquerors apart, and his high-pitched tones infuse the material with melody and warmth.
For all of its ear-gasm inducing blood and thunder, it’s actually the tenderest moment on Everything I’ve Learnt, which steals the show. Slightly reminiscent of XO-era Elliott Smith, ‘Bring Me To The Bloodbank’ is a world-beater thanks to an intoxicating combination of interwoven vocals, Spartan keys and acoustic guitars and it, alongside the anthemic ‘Pits Of Old’, point towards a very bright future for the four-piece.

Keytrack: 'Bring Me To The Bloodbank'